Partitioning device

ABSTRACT

A partitioning device, including a center panel and at least one side panel, e.g., a left side panel and a right side panel, each side panel optionally folded onto the center panel in an overlaying relationship during use or storage. Each side panel may be folded away from the center panel during use if needed. Each center and side panel may include a stiffening member attached proximate upper and lower edges thereof. Straps may be attached to the center panel to affix the present partitioning device during use and additional straps may be attached to each of the side panels. Connectors may be attached to the straps. The center and at least one side panel may be reversibly configured in a folded, overlaying relationship. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to traffic control devices and, in particular, this invention relates to portable devices for marking off areas.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] In facilities open to the public or under other situations, e.g., warehouses and the like, there is often a need to mark-off areas with the intent that persons not enter the marked-off areas. Several devices have been used for this purpose. These devices include sawhorses, pylons, and ribbon. Each of these devices have their shortcomings. Sawhorses are awkward to move into place and are often inefficient to store. If pylons are used, they may be accidentally displaced, thereby failing to designate the marked-off area satisfactorily. If ribbons are used, they are easily removed and may not be readily noticed. Moreover a very limited amount of information, in the form of a indicia, can be displayed on any of these devices. Ideally, areas to be marked off should be designated by devices which are readily noticeable, which can display relatively large amounts of indicia, and are reusable, easily emplaced and removed, readily prepared for storage or transport, occupy a comparatively small volume during storage transport, and can be attached during use to a multitude of structures. None of the known available devices for marking-off areas fulfill these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs by providing a partitioning device for marking off areas, such as store aisles, blocks of seats, and the like. The partitioning device may include a center panel and at least one side panel. In some embodiments a left and a right side panel may be present. The left and right side panels may be foldable onto the center panel in a substantially overlaying configuration. The left and right side panels may be made from a foldable material and may include a stiffening member proximate an upper and/or lower edge.

[0006] It is a feature that the present partitioning device may be made from a foldable and/or pliable material.

[0007] It is an advantage that the foldable and/or pliable material, from which the present partitioning device may be made, may be easily folded so as to occupy a minimum volume during storage and/or transport.

[0008] It is another feature that the present partitioning device may include a center panel and at least one side panel, e.g., a left side panel and a right side panel.

[0009] It is another advantage that the center panel and at least one side panel enable marking-off areas of variable dimensions.

[0010] It is yet another feature of the present partitioning device to further include stiffening members proximate upper and lower edges of each center and side panel.

[0011] It is yet another advantage of the present partitioning device that the stiffening members prevent sagging when being used to mark-off an area.

[0012] It is yet another advantage of the present partitioning device that the stiffening members facilitate rapid and efficient folding for storage and/or transportation.

[0013] It is yet still another feature of the present partitioning device to include a plurality of straps attached to the center panel.

[0014] It is yet still another advantage of the present partitioning device that the plurality of straps facilitate easy attachment when the partitioning device is being set up for use.

[0015] It is an additional feature of the present partitioning device that a connector, such as an S-hook, may be attached to each of the plurality of straps.

[0016] It is an additional advantage that the connectors facilitate easy attachment when the present partitioning device is being set up for use.

[0017] It is a still yet additional feature of the present partitioning device that connectors, such as hook and loop fasteners, may be present so as to reversibly affix the center panel to each at least one side panel.

[0018] It is a still yet additional advantage of the present partitioning device that the connectors hold the at least one side panel in a folded, overlaying relationship during use.

[0019] If is a still yet additional advantage of the present partitioning device that the connectors hold the least one side panel in a folded, overlaying relationship to facilitate folding the present partitioning device for storage and/or transport.

[0020] These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, when considered in view of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present partitioning device being used to block off an aisle of a store;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the partitioning device of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration for storage or transport;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the partitioning device of FIG. 1 being a folded into the configuration of FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the partitioning device of FIG. 1 partially unfolded;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of an embodiment of an enclosure of the present invention, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross section of another embodiment of an enclosure of the present invention, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4; and

[0027]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross section of an alternate embodiment to the enclosures depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0028] It is understood that the above-described figures are only illustrative of the present invention and are not contemplated to limit the scope thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION/DRAWINGS

[0029] Comprehension of this invention can be gained through reference to the drawings in conjunction with a thorough review of the following explanation. Any references to such relative terms as front and back, right and left, upper and lower, or the like, are intended for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation. All dimensions of the components in the attached figures may vary with a potential design and the intended use of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0030] Each of the additional features and methods disclosed herein may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and methods. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0031] One embodiment of the present partitioning device is depicted in the figures at 100. The aisle blocker 100 includes a center panel 102 and optionally at least one side panel, e.g., side panels 104 and 106. In the embodiment depicted, the present center and side panels are constructed from a single piece of material 108. However, the present center and side panels may also be constructed separately and joined together, e.g., by stitching, stapling, hook and loop fasteners, or the like.

[0032] Each respective center and side panel may include upper enclosures 116, 118, and 120 and lower enclosures 122, 124, and 126. In the embodiment depicted, a single piece of webbing 128 is attached to the material 108 to cover one side of the enclosures 116, 118, and 120. One embodiment of the enclosures 116-126 is depicted in FIG. 5, wherein the material is folded over itself and secured in this configuration by the webbing 128 and with stitchings 132 and 134. A stiffening member 136 is inserted into the enclosures 116-126.

[0033] An alternate embodiment to the enclosure shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 6, in which the material 108 is folded over itself and fixed in place with stitching 140. A stiffening member 136 is then inserted into the enclosure.

[0034] Another alternate embodiment to the enclosures of FIGS. 5 and 6 is depicted in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the material 108 is folded against itself to form respective outer and inner layers 142 and 144, but the enclosure is formed between the inner layer 144 and the webbing 128 by fixing the webbing 128 and layers 142 and 144 in place with stitchings 132 and 134. The member 136 is then placed into, and held in place by, the enclosure.

[0035] It should be recognized that any embodiment of the enclosures, or any other alternative thereof, could be used for either the top and bottom. If one of the embodiments of FIG. 5 or 7 is used for the lower enclosures 122-126, a layer of webbing 128, or other equivalent material, may be present. Alternatively, the member 136 may be fixed proximate the upper and lower edges of the panels by other methods known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the members 136 may be affixed proximate the upper and lower edges by such methods as stitching, stapling, riveting, or adhering (with adhesives) the stiffening members to the material directly.

[0036] Proximal ends of straps 150 and 152 are attached to outboard portions of the center panel 102, e.g., proximate the upper enclosure 116. Proximal ends of straps 154 and 156 maybe likewise attached, e.g., proximate outboard edges of the upper enclosures 118 and 120. Connectors, such as S-hooks 158-164, may be attached to distal ends of the straps 150-156. Although S-hooks are depicted, the connectors may be D-rings, snap links, book and loop fasteners, straps and buckles, or any connector known to be suitable for a given use by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the connectors may be absent. If the connectors are absent, the present partitioning device may be attached by tying the straps around adjacent structures.

[0037] Other connectors may also be present to retain the present panels in an overlaying, folded relationship. In the embodiment depicted, one component of a hook and loop fastener may be disposed over the present upper enclosures in a position to affix a side panel to the center panel in a folded, substantially overlaying relationship (indicated at 168 and 170). In lieu of hook and loop fasteners, other connectors such as snaps, straps and buckles, or the like may be used.

[0038] The present partitioning device may be used advantageously to block-off areas at facilities such as stores, stadiums, galleries and the like. The presence of one or more side panels and the straps attached to the center and side panels allow the present partitioning device to block-off areas with varying dimensions. For example, if a relatively narrow store aisle is to be blocked off, the center panel only or the center panel and one of the side panels may be unfolded for use. However, if a relatively wide store aisle is to be blocked off, the center panel and both side panels may be unfolded and used as described infra.

[0039] The present partitioning device may be made from a fabric, such as PVC. A PVC-type fabric with a thickness of 0.3 millimeters (+/−0.03 millimeters) has been found to be satisfactory for some embodiments. Alternatively, other fabrics such as canvas, duck, or any other material with the requisite pliability for folding, storage, or transport may be utilized. In some embodiments, pre-folded paper products or other artificial resins may be satisfactory. The upper and lower stiffening members may be made from a fiberglass rod, e.g., about 20 inches in length and about 6 millimeters in diameter. However, other materials such as wood, or other synthetic resins may be suitable for some embodiments. The webbing 128 and straps 150-156 may include fabrics such as cotton, nylon, polypropylene, other synthetic resins, or the like. In the embodiment depicted, a width of two inches has been found to be satisfactory for the webbing 128 and a width of one and one-half inches has been a found to be satisfactory for the straps 150-156. The hook and loop fasteners may be Velcro® straps, e.g., approximately two inches in width. In one embodiment, the present partitioning device is about 45 inches in width and 120 inches in length. It may be advantageous to utilize fabric with a readily noticeable color, e.g., day glow orange. It may also be advantageous to imprint indicia, e.g., announcing closure of the space partitioned off. In FIG. 1, “SORRY-AISLE TEMPORARILY CLOSED” is the indicia warning that the space partitioned off is temporarily closed.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, the present partitioning device 100 is used to block off the aisle between shelves 180 and 182. In this case, side panels 104 and 106 are not needed and are in the folded configuration. The straps 150 and 152 are used to attach the partitioning member 100 to the shelves 180 and 182 by being looped around vertical members 184 and 186 of the shelves 180 and 182 and fixed in place by S-hooks 158 and 160. The stiffening members 136 provide rigidity to the upper and lower edges of the present partitioning device to minimize drooping during use. Often it is desirable to use the present partitioning device in pairs to mark off the end boundaries of areas, e.g., the ends of store aisles or rows of seats.

[0041] After use, the present partitioning device may be folded for storage or transport. The side panels 104 and 106 are first folded in overlaying relationships to the center panel 102. The folded center and side panels may then be further folded along lines 172 and 174, as shown by the arrows 176 and 178 in FIG. 3, into a compact, folded configuration (FIG. 2) for storage, transport, or for insertion into a container.

[0042] Because numerous modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A partitioning device, comprising: a center panel and at least one side panel foldable onto the center panel, each of the center panel and at least one side panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the center panel and at least one side panel comprising a first foldable material, an upper stiffening member and a lower stiffening member, the upper stiffening member fixed proximate the upper edge, the lower stiffening member fixed proximate the lower edge, the upper and lower stiffening members comprising a substantially non-foldable material.
 2. The partitioning device of claim 1, in which a center panel and a plurality of side panels are present.
 3. The partitioning device of claim 2, each of said center panel and plurality of side panels comprising an upper enclosure disposed proximate the upper edge and a lower enclosure disposed proximate the lower edge.
 4. The partitioning device of claim 3, in which each upper stiffening member is disposed in one of said upper enclosures and in which each lower stiffening member is disposed in one of the lower enclosures.
 5. The partitioning device of claim 4, in which at least some of said enclosures comprise a fold in the first foldable material held in place with stitching.
 6. The partitioning device of claim 4, in which at least some of said enclosures further comprise a second foldable material, the first foldable material and the second foldable material fixed together to form said enclosures.
 7. The partitioning device of claim 1, each said center panel and at least one side panel further comprising a fastener for fastening each of said at least one side panels to said center panel in an overlaying relation.
 8. The partitioning device of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to each of said center and at least one side panels.
 9. The partitioning device of claim 8, further comprising a first fastener attachable to each said strap.
 10. The partitioning device of claim 9, in which the first fastener is an S-hook.
 11. The partitioning device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener disposed to maintain the center panel and at least one side panel in a folded, overlaying configuration.
 12. The partitioning device of claim 11, in which the second fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 13. A process of manufacturing a partitioning device, comprising: forming a center panel and at least one side panel from a first foldable material, said at least one side panel foldable with the center panel in an overlaying configuration; forming an upper enclosure in each said center panel and at least one side panel by folding said first foldable material proximate an upper margin of each of said center panel and at least one a side panel; forming a lower enclosure in each said center panel and at least one side panel by folding said first foldable material proximate a lower margin of each of said center panel and at least one side panel; inserting a stiffening member into each said upper and lower enclosure; and affixing said first foldable material, thereby fixing each said upper and lower enclosure.
 14. The process of claim 13, in which the fixed foldable material includes polypropylene.
 15. The process of claim 13, in which a center panel and two side panels are formed.
 16. The process of claim 13, which the first foldable material is affixed by stitching.
 17. The process of claim 13, further comprising attaching a first strap proximate a first outboard edge of said center panel and a second strap proximate a second outboard edge of said center panel.
 18. The process of claim 17, further comprising attaching a third strap proximate an outboard edge of said at least one side panel.
 19. The process of claim a 17, further comprising attaching a first fastener to each of said first, second, and third straps.
 20. The process of claim 19, further comprising attaching a second fastener to said center panel and said at least one side panel.
 21. The process of claim 20, in which said attached second fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 22. A process of partitioning off a space, comprising: disposing a first partitioning device proximate said space to be partitioned off, said first partitioning device comprising a center panel and one of a left side panel attached to said center panel and a right side panel attached to said center panel, a plurality of straps, two of said plurality of straps attached to outboard edges of said center panel, and one of said plurality of straps attached to each of said left and right side panels, each of said left and right side panels comprising a plurality of stiffening members, one of said plurality of stiffening members disposed proximate an upper edge, and one of said plurality of stiffening members disposed proximate a lower edge of each said center panel and left and right side panels; and affixing said plurality of straps such that said partitioning device is suspended across the space to be partitioned off.
 23. The process of claim a 22, further comprising disposing a second partitioning device proximate to said space to be partitioned off, said second partitioning device substantially identical to the first partitioning device.
 24. The process of claim 22, in which the left side panel and right side panel are folded into the center panel when the first partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.
 25. The process of claim 22, in which the left side panel or the right side panel is folded away from the center panel when the partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.
 26. The process of claim 22, in which the left side panel and right side panel are folded away from the center panel when the partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.
 27. The process of claim 22, in which said one of a left side panel and a right side panel are attached and held to the center panel in an overlying disposition and in which one of said left side and right side panel are detached from said center panel before said plurality of straps are affixed.
 28. The process of claim 22, in which a fastener is present at the proximal end of each of said straps and in which the straps are affixed by attaching each fastener to one of said straps.
 29. The process of claim 28, in which each of said fasteners present at the distal end of each of said straps comprises an S-hook and in which at least one of the fasteners is fastened to the strap by extending the strap through the S-hook.
 30. The process of claim 29, in which at least one of the fasteners is fastened to an object proximate the space to be partitioned off. 